Wire-fence tightener



(No Model J. N. YOUNG. WIRE FENCE TIGHTENER.

No. 583,318. Patented May 25,1897.

L I 2 w u INVENTOR NITED STATES ATENT nricn.

vWIRE-FENCE TIGHTENER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 583,318, dated May 25, 1897.

Application filed January 27, 1897. Serial No. 620,931. (No model.)

To aZZ whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, J AMES NIonoLAs YOUNG, a citizen of the United States, residing at Parma, in the county of Jackson and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in ire-Fence Tighteners; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in wire-fence tighteners, the object being to provide a simple construction of device adapted for application to the meeting ends of the strands of a wire fence, whereby the said ends may be drawn taut and while taut connected together.

To this end my invention consists in a device of the character described comprising a shaft having two clamping-blocks adapted for application to the ends of a wire-fence strand and movable away from and toward each other, and mechanism for imparting motion to the said clamping-blocks for tightening said ends of the wire strands, whereby the same may be drawn taut and connected in an easy and convenient manner.

My invention also consists in certain novel constructions, combinations, and arrangements of parts, as will be hereinafter more fully described, and set forth in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation view of my improved wiretightening device, showing the same applied to one of the wire strands of a fence. Fig. 2 is a View looking toward the end of one of the clamping-blocks. Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail view of the screw-shaft-operating mechanism and a portion of the screw-shaft. Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view through the same on the line w Fig. 5 is a view of the clampingwedge portions of the clamping-block, showing in detail the construction of the same.

Referring to the drawings, the letter A designates the shaft, the ends I) b of which are reversely screw-threaded, one having a righthand thread and the other a left-hand thread. The clamping-blocks B B are arranged on each of the said ends of the screw-shaft and are movable thereon relative to each other. Each block is provided with a fixed nut O 0, having position in a socket therein, and the said threaded ends of the screw-shaft engage these nuts and extend through the said clamping-blocks to the outer side thereof. These blocks are also provided at their lower ends with slots, whereby they are mounted upon the longitudinal fiat sliding bar D, which is arranged parallel with the said screw-shaft A. A shielding-bar e e is fitted upon the exteriorly-exposed ends of the said screw-shaft and sliding bar and serves to prevent the end of the said shaft from being bent out of shape while in use.

The mechanism for operating the screwshaft comprises a body F, having a longitudinal slot or bore f through it for the passage of the said sliding bar D. Projecting from said body portion are two upwardly-extend ing arms g g, provided at their ends with journals, through which the screw-shaft A passes. This body portion also has a transverse passage or bore h, through which extends the operating-shaft H, which is provided at its upper exposed end between the said two arms of the body portion with a beveled pinion e', engaging with the beveled wheel fixed on the said screw-shat t A. The beveled pinion e' and the beveled wheel j on said operating-shaft and screw-shaft, respectively, are each provided with collars 'i'j and with setscrews 6 1 whereby they are mounted thereon and by which they maybe readily removed and adjusted. The lower end of the said operating-shaft is provided ,With a head 70, havin g an opening, through which a sliding crank L is adapted to move. This sliding crank is provided at each end thereof with a rigid angularly-extending handle m m, whereby it may be moved in the said slot and operated to turn the said operating-shaft. By employing an operating-shaft and crank of this construction. it will be seen that the device may be operated without inconvenience close to the ground, so that the meeting ends of the lowermost strands of the wire fence may be operated upon quickly as well as the upper strands thereof.

Fig. 1 shows my wire-tightening device applied to the meetingends of the wire strands,

the said ends being designated by the letters 0' 0 In the present instance the end 0 is formed with a loop, with which the other end 0 is to be engaged; but this is shown as only one manner of connecting the said meeting ends and any other manner of connection may be adopted.

The clamping-blocks are each formed of two jaws p p, the latter being loose, and a screw-bolt r is passed through said jaws, and a hand-nut or clamping-lever p is provided, whereby the same may be adjusted relative to each other to engage or disengage the wire strands. Awasher q surrounds the said bolt, and a key or plug q is inserted through the jaw 19 and said washer to prevent the said parts from turning when the clamping-bolt is adjusted to maintain the two clamp jaws closed. ridges (1 which coaet with corresponding depressions on the clamping-jaw p to hold the The said washer is provided with wire tightly clamped between them, so that I it cannot possibly slip while it is held under 1 tension. The specific form of clamp herein described is not essential; but any other form of clamping device may be employed for the purpose. screw-bolt from turning all around.

A rib s on the jaw 19 prevents the I The operation is as follows: The two ter- 1 minal ends 0 0 are drawn primarily as tight as possible by hand, and then the two clamping-blocks 1313 are applied thereto.

The opcrating-shaft II is then turned by means of 1 the crank L, so as to cause the shaft to revolve through the action of the two beve1ed gears t j in order to cause the said two clamping-blocks to move on the said shaft toward each other and toward the operating mechanism at the center thereof.

By this operai tion the two terminal ends of the wire strands are drawn taut, and while taut said ends are 1 I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

l. The combination in a wire-fence tightener, of two blocks provided with clamping portions adapted to engage the terminal ends of the wire strands, a screw-shaft having its end passed through said blocks, a sliding bar parallel to said shaft and on which the said blocks slide, and a shielding-bar applied upon the exposed ends of the said sliding bar and screw-shaft to prevent the bending of the latter, substantially as described.

2. In a wire-fence tightener, the combination of a shaft having its ends reversely screwthreaded, a sliding bar arranged below and parallel with the said shaft, two clampingblocks each provided with a slot through which the said sliding bar passes and with a threaded opening adapted to engage the threaded end of theserew-shaft, operating mechanism interposed between the said two blocks, a body having a longitudinal bore through which the said sliding bar passes, and a transverse here through which the operating-shaft extends, a beveled gear upon said screw-shaft, a pinion carried by the said operating-shaft to engage said beveled gear, and a crank for operating the said operatingshaft, substantially as described.

3. In a wire-fence tightener, the combination of a shaft having its ends reversely screwthreaded and provided intermediate of its length with a gear-wheel, a sliding bar arranged below and parallel with said shaft, a clamping-block arranged upon each end of the sliding bar and provided with a threaded aperture to engage said threaded ends of the screwshaft, a head fixed upon the said sliding bar and provided with two upwardly-extending arms having journals in which the said screw-shaft is mounted, an operatingshaft extending through the said head provided with a pinion engaging with the said gear on the screw-shaft, and a crank on the threaded end of the said operatin "-shaft, sub stantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JAMES NICHOLAS YOUNG.

\Vi tn esses:

HENRY HILLER, LILLIAN PATON. 

